When encountering fine Tea, tea enthusiasts often buy some to store at home, to enjoy a Cup during leisure time or Brew a pot when friends visit. Storing tea is thus a task that requires considerable attention.

　　If stored improperly, you may find the taste drastically different upon brewing it again. That would be unfortunate. Here, we will provide a detailed guide on how to store tea at home.

　　How to Store Tea at Home

　　1. Avoid Strong Light

　　Strong sunlight can cause phenolic substances and chlorophyll in the tea to oxidize, resulting in a bland taste and darkened color of the tea infusion. Therefore, all types of tea should be kept away from direct light as much as possible. (Slightly damp tea can be dried in the sun to remove moisture, but the flavor will be significantly reduced.)

　　2. Avoid High Temperatures

　　High temperatures can damage the internal structure of tea and lead to the degradation of aromatic compounds, causing the tea to lose its flavor or even become spoiled. Generally, the storage temperature for any type of tea should not exceed 25 degrees Celsius, avoiding areas prone to sunlight and heat, such as windowsills and balconies.

　　3. Avoid Moisture

　　Tea is porous and hygroscopic, so once it becomes damp, the flavor can be diminished or the tea can even become moldy and toxic. Therefore, regardless of the type of tea, it should be stored in a relatively dry environment (even post-fermented black teas should not be exposed to high humidity). It's best to store tea at a higher elevation, as the ground tends to have more moisture.

　　4. Avoid Odd Odors

　　Tea has strong adsorptive properties, so regardless of the type of tea, it should be stored in a container without any odors and in an environment free of potential sources of Odor (such as a kitchen). Different types of tea placed together can also develop cross-contamination of flavors, even teas of the same type but different quality levels. This should be avoided if possible.

　　Tips for Household Tea Storage

　　1. Remember four keywords for storing tea: cool, dry, odorless, and off the ground.

　　2. For all tea types except dark tea, tin cans can be used as containers.

　　3. All tea types except Green Tea and lightly oxidized oolong can be stored at room temperature.

　　4. Green tea and lightly oxidized oolong should be placed in tin cans, covered with aluminum foil bags, and stored in the refrigerator.

　　5. Dark tea should be stored in clay jars or wrapped in kraft paper, and then left to age over time.

　　To maximize the value of your tea collection, it's essential to store it under the right conditions. Try out these methods and see the difference they make.